Association between Kinesiophobia and Knee Pain Intensity, Joint Position Sense, and Functional Performance in Individuals with Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

In current clinical practice, fear of movement has been considered a significant factor affecting patient disability and needs to be evaluated and addressed to accomplish successful rehabilitation strategies. Therefore, the study aims (1) to establish the association between kinesiophobia and knee pain intensity, joint position sense (JPS), and functional performance, and (2) to determine whether kinesiophobia predicts pain intensity, JPS, and functional performance among individuals with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This cross-sectional study included 50 participants (mean age: 67.10 ± 4.36 years) with KOA. Outcome measures: The level of kinesiophobia was assessed using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, pain intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS), knee JPS using a digital inclinometer, and functional performance using five times sit-to-stand test. Knee JPS was assessed in target angles of 15°, 30°, and 60°. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and simple linear regressions were used to analyze the data. Significant moderate positive correlations were observed between kinesiophobia and pain intensity (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), JPS (r ranged between 0.38 to 0.5, p < 0.05), and functional performance (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression analysis showed kinesiophobia significantly predicted pain intensity (B = 1.05, p < 0.001), knee JPS (B ranged between 0.96 (0° of knee flexion, right side) to 1.30 (15° of knee flexion, right side)), and functional performance (B = 0.57, p < 0.001). We can conclude that kinesiophobia is significantly correlated and predicted pain intensity, JPS, and functional performance in individuals with KOA. Kinesiophobia is a significant aspect of the recovery process and may be taken into account when planning and implementing rehabilitation programs for KOA individuals.

Effectiveness of Hold Relax Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Technique in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a popular flexibility training, which involves stretching and contraction of the target muscle group. PNF stretching is effective among athletes for improving passive range of motion, flexibility, and performance. Patients who undergo total knee replacement surgeries exhibit pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, muscle weakness, and stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the hold relax PNF technique to improve the balance and muscle strength in subjects with a bilateral knee replacement. Sixty four patients were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The patients were allocated into two groups by random allocation. The experimental group A (n=32) received the Hold Relax PNF technique with conventional treatment whereas, the control group B (n=32) received only conventional treatment as a part of the Home Exercise Program (HEP). Outcome measures used for evaluation included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) Score for measuring pain, muscle strength, and balance respectively. Students t-test showed significant differences between variables mean scores from two groups after three weeks of intervention. There was a statistical significant (t(32) = 2.38, p = 0.02) change in the mean scores of VAS in the experimental group (mean difference pre-post=3.19) as compared to control group ( mean difference pre -post=3.19) with Cohen’s d = 2.744588. Similarly for MMT(t(32) = 0.415, p = 0.005) and BBS scores (t(32) = 2.628, p = 0.035). The result of the study suggests that the Hold Relax PNF technique is more effective than conventional treatment alone in decreasing pain as well as increasing balance and muscle strength in bilateral knee replacement patients.

Monthly Disposable Income Is a Crucial Factor Affecting the Quality of Life in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people; this study examines the demographic characteristics and QOL of patients with knee OA and identifies demographic characteristics that affect the QOL of these patients. In this cross-sectional study, 30 healthy controls and 60 patients with mild-to-moderate bilateral knee OA aged between 55 and 75 years were enrolled. All participants completed a questionnaire containing questions on 10 demographic characteristics and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and their QOL scores in the eight dimensions of the SF-36 were evaluated. In the OA group, significant correlations were observed between monthly disposable income and physical and mental health components. Monthly disposable income was found to considerably affect the QOL of patients with bilateral knee OA (i.e., it is a crucial factor affecting these patients). The findings of this study may provide a reference for formulating preventive strategies for healthy individuals and for future confirmatory research.

Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Retrospective Case Control Study: Does Genicular Injection Application Yield a More Effective Pain Control Compared with Periarticular Injection?

Background:The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that administering the analgesic solution prepared for periarticular injection as a genicular injection to patients undergoing bilateral knee arthroplasty has equivalent effect to periarticuler injection and provides equal or enhanced pain control. Thus, these two different practices were compared.Methods:This was a case control study, during which simultaneous bilateral knee arthroplasty patients were evaluated retrospectively. The analgesic solution prepared for periarticular injection was applied as a genicular injection to one knee of each of 30 patients operated on in the same session, and was applied as standard periarticular injection to the other knee. The study group comprised the patients operated on in the same session who were subject to genicular infiltration anaesthesia and the control group consisted of patients with standard periarticular infiltration anaesthesia administered to the other knee. The study data are summarized via descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, etc.). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was used for comparisons. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0,05.Results:Pain scores were lower during the early postoperative period in the knees of patients who received the genicular injection (p<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to drainage volume, complications and range of joint motion.Conclusions:Genicular injection is a reliable and effective procedure for early postoperative pain control.

Correlation of knee society score and oxford knee score in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative, non-inflammatory joint condition marked by articular cartilage disintegration and the growth of new bone (osteophytes) at the joint surfaces and borders. It impairs one's ability to function and makes one disabled. It is the most common rheumatic disease. Because the Knee is a weight-bearing joint and a crutch joint, it is the most usually afflicted joint by Osteoarthritis.A Correlational study was conducted to find out the correlation between Knee Society Score (KSS) and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) on 142 Osteoarthritis Knees. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from the Orthopaedics OPD at AIIMS Jodhpur from October to December 2018.On evaluation, the mean age of the patients was 60.19±1.01. Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis affected about 42% of the patients. Approximately half of the patients were obese. Only 34% of patients had compliance in physiotherapy. Analgesics and massage treatment are used by about 76% of the patients to relieve knee pain. In the Knee Society Score, the majority of the patients (82.4%) had a bad knee condition, with a mean score of 49.07±1.06. In OKS, about half of the patients (46.5%) had Moderate to Severe Knee Osteoarthritis, with a mean score of 22.69±7.09. The correlation coefficient between the Knee Society Score and the Oxford Knee Score is 0.660. As a consequence of the analysis, both scales have almost the same outcome, indicating that they are moderately associated. The Knee Society Score is highly associated with occupation and physiotherapy, whereas the Oxford Knee Score is significantly related to the patients' age alone. According to the study, there is a moderate correlation between the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the Oxford Knee Score (OKS). These scores should be included during the diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis for improved patient care.

Demographic factors affecting the quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Background Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects the quality of life (QOL) of elderly people, this study examines the demographic characteristics and QOL of patients with knee OA and identifies demographic characteristics that affect the QOL of these patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 30 healthy controls and 60 patients with mild-to-moderate bilateral knee OA aged between 55 and 75 years were enrolled. All participants completed a questionnaire containing questions on 10 demographic characteristics and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and their QOL scores in the eight dimensions of the SF-36 were evaluated. Results In the OA group, significant correlations were observed between monthly disposable income and physical and mental health components. Monthly disposable income was found to considerably affect the QOL of patients with knee OA. Conclusion Monthly disposable income is a crucial factor affecting the QOL of patients with bilateral knee OA. The findings of this study may provide a reference for formulating preventive strategies for healthy individuals and for future confirmatory research. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fu Jen Catholic University (FJU-IRB NO: C107179).